SKANEWS Webzine - Chris Foreman interview 11.94

CHRIS FOREMAN INTERVIEW
MADNESS / THE NUTTY BOYS
November 1994

Skanews : "How was the second Madstock concert ?"

Chris : "Quite enjoyable. I must admit i was very drunk ! This was due to the fact that i arrived early and my wife and i had found someone to look after our baby Felix. Which gave me time to wander off into the crowd and get drinks from our fans (hello Northumberland Nutty Boys !) So my playing was not very good, especially the solo on "Shut Up". But Madness songs play themselves really and the audience all sang along."

Skanews : "How was the atmosphere / audience, was it different from the first ?"

Chris : "Much the same, a good crowd, not too much trouble and the support acts all went down well, without too much verbal abuse !"

Skanews : "Did you play the same songs ?"

Chris : "I think less songs than the first time, but i'm not sure. No "Land Of Hope And Glory", "Razor Blade Alley", "Close Escape", "take It Or Leave It", "Swan Lake" or "Rockin' In Ab" which was a shame, but we did "Michael Caine", "Yesterday's Men" and "One Better Day" instead. Plus Lee sang the Kinks "Lola" which was funny as he took his trousers off to reveal the fact that he was wearing womens underwear ! The song is about a transvestite, but why was he wearing them for 2 weeks ?"

Skanews : "What are the future projects of Madness ?"

Chris : "Sama as last time. Woody has a band called Fat, Mark is in the graphic design business, Carl has few ideas up his sleeve, Suggs and Mike still working together and Lee and myself are "Les garçons cacahuettes".

Skanews : "What's happening with the Suggs / Barson collaboration ?"

Chris : "They have some sort of record deal so expect some material next year."

Skanews : "Do you think you'll play the U.S.A. Skavoovie Tour ? You'll play soon in France ?

Chris : "They will have to offer a lot of money for Madness to appear and i don't think it likely at all."

Skanews : "Will there be a follow up to "The Business" with 12" versions and never released versions ?"

Chris : "This is up to Virgin. We weren't too keen on the idea for "The Business" but made it the best we could (artwork etc... and price !)

Skanews : "Will you ever release your duos with Prince Buster (Madstock 1) and titles only available on vidéo (Swan Lake...)

Chris : "No, i don't think so, due to legalities. We wanted to put The Prince on The Madstock album but he wanted a lot of money, which is understandable."

Skanews : "What do you think about Madness tribute bands ?"

Chris : "I have never seen one. It's strange, there is quite a lot now."

Skanews : "It's been a while and we haven't heard anything from The Nutty Boys, what have you been doing ?"

Chris : "Not a lot. Madness has taken a lot of my time and energy though they don't seem to do much. We spent 3 month at the end of 1993 writing songs but didn't record anything. Also being a parent again is more difficult than i thought it would be. lee and myself have still been writing songs though."

Skanews : "In our last interview you said that you were starting a label."

Chris : "This is another thing taht is harder than i thought it would be. The amount of work involved to do it properly is considerable. We have got Mr. Sean Flowerdew (Loafers / Specialbeat) to get us a distribution deal and he is talking to some independent distributors at the moment."

Skanews : "Do you have plans for a "Crunch" follow up ?"

Chris : "We have a lot of recorded material which just needs the final mix."

Skanews : "Sean Flowerdew told us that Lee was writing songs with Arawak."

Chris : "They have done some really good stuff togethe, with Lee writing lyrics. This may see the light of day when we get the label together."

Skanews : "Has the band (The Nutty Boys) changed it's name ?"

Chris : "No."

Skanews : "What Do you think of the new Selecter album (Happu Album) and the possible reforming of The Specials ?"

Chris : "I bought the new Selecter album and it's ok, but it has a lot of drum machines on it (which is the same problem with our album "Crunch"). I was trying to get the specials to play Madstock this year but it was a problem with Jerry Dammers and Terry Hall, who didn't want to do it. The others were all ready to do it and i think they are now playing as The Specials anyway."

Skanews : "Anything else to say about the Nutty Boys ?"

Chris : "We are still here."

Skanews : "Do you have anything to say to the Madness fans ?"

Chris : "Tahnk you all for your support and allowing us to relive our past glories !"

Interview : JP Boutellier / Skanews. november 1994.